uses for hex impact sockets

[barrybluejeans]

I got these for free from sunex to review, but i haven't run across anything that uses them yet. i mostly see hondas, the odd ford or mazda. I could run over to the junkyard and test them out there, but I wouldn't know what to look for... any ideas? i think i remember vw or audi had some axle nuts that required these, maybe?

 

[KnurledNut]

Got access to any heavy equipment?

 

[M6erfan]

EGR ports, 2.4 liter Nissan

 

[Tenex]

I've had to use mine on brake caliper bolts and set screws.

 

[PhysicsDude]

Most motorcycles I've worked on have used mostly hex head bolts.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Old VAG head bolts

 

[Tonyuk]

Some VAG axle bolts, the majority of the other bolts on them are either hex, torx or spline.

 

[CR888]

I mean no disrespect but what use is a review of a product by someone who has never used this type of tool has nothing to compare them too and doesn't really even know what they are used for. Nice for Sunnex to gift you a free set of tools but I see no point other than the fact you would say nice things about Sunnex as they give you stuff. If they really believe in the product they should be putting them in the hands of industry users who can really test them & give a useful review. Otherwise its similar to cash for comments.

 

[barrybluejeans]

None taken, cr888. To be fair to them, they gave me an option of what tool to review, but I was a little slow to reply and these were the last still available. I figure I’ll set them up with a Milwaukee HTIW and see what happens - if one breaks or rounds off, it most likely won’t be missed! Thanks for the replies, everyone. For those that do use these regularly, what fails first? I’d assume they round off and then start rounding off bolts?

 

[barrybluejeans]

Tenex- brake caliper bolts on what makes? No access to heavy equipment KnurledNut, except for the machines at the local gym... just kidding. Every single bolt on them is an internal hex, but I doubt an impact would be wanted or needed over there.

 

[Tonyuk]

I haven't rounded one yet, i find they tend to round rusted fasteners easily though due to the force going through them.

The torx impacts tend to snap

 

[davethorik]

Ever been in a machine shop? Not sure why, but they tend to gravitate toward SHCS over hex bolts most of the time.

 

[ocloc24]

Yeah every plant I've worked in at least half of all fasteners are hex head if not more. Also when I worked on heavy equipment i saw them often. On cars they're a little less common

 

[Eric29]

Don’t Honda sway bar links take a hex bit to hold them while you loosen the nut? If so, that might be a good test because in the Northeast at least they are usually pretty rusted. I’m not sure that you could use an impact with them though.

 

[Tenex]

Tenex- brake caliper bolts on what makes? No access to heavy equipment KnurledNut, except for the machines at the local gym... just kidding. Every single bolt on them is an internal hex, but I doubt an impact would be wanted or needed over there.

They were on my 1993 Grand Marquis calipers. They were a 7mm, but the replacement caliper was a 6mm.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Is everyone seeing a photo except me?

 

[beamrider]

No photo here either.

 

[barrybluejeans]

Don’t Honda sway bar links take a hex bit to hold them while you loosen the nut? If so, that might be a good test because in the Northeast at least they are usually pretty rusted. I’m not sure that you could use an impact with them though.

yeah they do, i'm doubtful that an impact would fit / be appropriate there as well.

http://sunextools.com/product/12-dr-20-pc-sae-metric-master-impact-hex-driver-set/

This is the set I got, I didn't think to include a link in the OP

 

[bwringer]

There are several spots where they're used on many motorcycles. Hope you got a metric set.

Damper rod bolts in the bottom of most motorcycle forks are the one place I've found where an impact hex is a must -- it's recessed and uses Loctite, and it can spin unless you can hold the damper rod. And of course, if you strip the hex you're stuck waiting for a new bolt from the dealer because it's usually an oddball super-fine thread.

Without an impact, you're in for a real struggle instead of a one-second zap.

Socket hexes are common on motorcycles and some industrial applications, but pretty rare on cars. Some brands of cars are riddled with random wildly inappropriate Torx fasteners, but I guess that's another rant for another day.

 

[Alpine4x4]

There are several spots where they're used on many motorcycles. Hope you got a metric set.

Damper rod bolts in the bottom of most motorcycle forks are the one place I've found where an impact hex is a must -- it's recessed and uses Loctite, and it can spin unless you can hold the damper rod. And of course, if you strip the hex you're stuck waiting for a new bolt from the dealer because it's usually an oddball super-fine thread.

Without an impact, you're in for a real struggle instead of a one-second zap.

Socket hexes are common on motorcycles and some industrial applications, but pretty rare on cars. Some brands of cars are riddled with random wildly inappropriate Torx fasteners, but I guess that's another rant for another day.

Dodge for example. Headlights are standard metric bolts, tail lights are Torx

 

[Wrenchinfool]

I work on transit buses..we have lots of stuff that are hex, drain plugs to injector hold downs..most failures I see from hex sockets are rounding of edges..I use both metic and standard

 

[Bobcat753]

I got the same set to review and have found multiple uses for them. I work at an amusement park and there is a lot of big hex fasteners. They are also very strong and I have used them in my Dewalt Brushless 1/2" Impact.

 

[DFB]

You know its funny back in the days of my industrial manufacturing career virtually every processing machine or piece of equipment especially anything we had built by our in house machine shop was assembled with hex drive socket cap screws whether button style, flat or cylindrical and more often than not countersunk. And L shaped wrenches of every imaginable sixe were found were just everywhere on the shop floor back then.

A lot socket drive on my older Harleys. Brake rotors, case covers ,instrument panels, and handle bar controls. fender struts, seat and tank brackets especially if anyone has had custom work and replaced standard hex head.

 

[6PTsocket]

A Kurt trailer hitch had a flat head bolt for the center attachment to the bumper. The drive size was half inch hex. The spec. was 250 ft lbs. That would give that bit a workout.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Motorman55]

If you've ever worked on forklifts you'd want a set of those in your toolbox.

 

[Motorman55]

You know its funny back in the days of my industrial manufacturing career virtually every processing machine or piece of equipment especially anything we had built by our in house machine shop was assembled with hex drive socket cap screws whether button style, flat or cylindrical and more often than not countersunk. And L shaped wrenches of every imaginable sixe were found were just everywhere on the shop floor back then.

A lot socket drive on my older Harleys. Brake rotors, case covers ,instrument panels, and handle bar controls. fender struts, seat and tank brackets especially if anyone has had custom work and replaced standard hex head.

Yep...I use hex cap type bolts on most my Harley motors and bikes. Course most don't require an impact type socket, but you could pop those on a ratchet and use them by hand too.